[FM21] Return of the Phoe Nix - Rise of the Raven. FC Isle of Man Youth Save.

[Punch]

AUG 2029 - Match Day 3

A disappointing result considering how well we player, but and awesome comeback as we turned around a 1-3 deficit just after half time, to grab a share of the points.

But this can be put down as one that got away, in front of a bumper home crowd.

 

Still undefeated, but the draw drops us to third on the ladder.

 

Up next...we travel to newly promoted Bolton, for what is sure to be a tough match.

[180SG]

Note to the side: You might want to start putting some buy-back clauses when you're selling players so you can get them back if you end up selling another big player you produce.

[Punch]

3 hours ago, 180SG said:

Note to the side: You might want to start putting some buy-back clauses when you're selling players so you can get them back if you end up selling another big player you produce.

Not sure if I’d buy any of them back, from the ones I’ve sold, and doubtful they’d come back down to our level.

The 50% gives us a chance to get them back half price at least, should that situation come up.

[Punch]

AUG 2029 - Match Day 4

In front of fourteen and a half thousand at Bolton, it feel a bit like we got away with one here.

While the xG suggests we should have won comfortably, I still think they played better than we did, and we will be happier with the point than they will as we come from behind twice to settle for a 2-2 draw.

 

We are still one of 4 undefeated clubs, although recently relegated Hull, are the only perfect side remaining.

 

Up next...back to League Cup action, as Nottingham Forrest come to The Bowl for the Carabao Cup 2nd Round.

[Punch]

AUG 2029 - Carabao Cup - 2nd Round

The full house signs went out at The Bowl for the first time in a Cup match since we upgraded the stadium last year.

While we were expected to lose comfortably, we did give Forrest a bit of a fright, leading 1-0 at half time, and then scoring a late goal to make it 2-3 and keep them on their toes to the end.

But in the end, their superior class showed through and they done enough to get through to the next round.

One of those games where we are disappointed with the result, but not the effort.

[Punch]

AUG 2029

Unbeaten in the League and making the 2nd Round of the League Cup, making for a very good start to the season.

 

We hold down 4th place, with the best attacking form in the League, while Hull look the team to beat having conceded only 1 goal.

 

The analyst is pretty happy with our performances so far.

 

Jordan Williams took out the League Two Player of the Month award, for his cracking start to the season.

 

He was also the Young Player of the Month.

A brilliant month for the club as we took out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeepers

Jordan Jack has started the League games while I have used Reece Foggarty in the Cup games.

Jack continues to do what he does, and do it well, while Foggarty has been impressive as well.

 

Jordan Jack got off the mark at his first attempt for the season with this bullet into the bottom left, giving the keeper no chance.

 

After taking so long to get any penalties last season, and getting so few, it's nice to see one early this season.

First goal of the season takes him to 73 career goals.

 

Showing how much the Youth Setup costs us, that even with a huge month in the Gate Receipts, we still lost money on the month.

 

Lincoln have had a few nibbles at Jordan Williams, but I am not interested in selling him, and for the moment at least, he is not interested in leaving.

 

Up next...another busy month in the League, and the Pizza Cup kicks off.

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Match Day 5

We start the month with a dominant display over Northampton, Jordan Williams continuing his super start to the season picking up a double, while veteran winger Kevin Barber came off the bench to score a second half hattrick.

Pretty good effort as he only managed two goals all last season.

 

We've jumped back up to 3rd after Wrexham were beaten.

 

Our unbeaten League run stands at 9 games back to last season.

Play off games must not be included as League games.

 

Up next...The Pizza Cup comes to The Bowl, as we welcome League Two Salford, who are currently win less, and sitting in the relegation zone.

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Papa Johns Trophy - Group Stage Game 1

I sent the kids out in the Pizza Cup, and they did not disappoint, running rings around Salford to get us off to a winning start.

16 year old Marco Petrosino scored a brilliant hattrick. This kid has massive potential.

 

A little bit of money for wins in the Pizza Cup.

 

Burnley U23s won the other game against Wrexham.

 

Up next...we return to League action, traveling to 18th place Lincoln.

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Match Day 6

A pleasing result, as we didn't play our best, but still managed to get away with a win.

A massive 63% possession, and we could only muster 7 shots on target.

 

Still holding 3rd place, Hull have lost their first game, so we're down to 3 unbeaten teams.

 

Up next...First placed Doncaster come to The Bowl for a tough match up.

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Match Day 7

A disappointing result after taking the lead and having the better of the game, they made the most of the few chances they had.

 

Showing how close this competition is, our first loss of the season drops us three places to 6th.

 

Up next...we meet Salford for the second time of the month, and after thrashing them in the Pizza Cup, we will be looking for another good result here.

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Match Day 8

A brilliant performance as we dominated Salford all over the park, Jordan Williams continuing his white hot form scoring a hat-trick.

 

Still holding 6th place in a tight table.

 

Up next...16th place Crawley pay a visit to the Isle.

Edited January 3, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

SEP 2029 - Match Day 9

A disappointing result as we dominate possession but couldn't make the most of our chances.

 

Even though we didn't win, we jumped up a spot to 5th.

 

Up next...Port Vale come to The Bowl again, after our earlier meeting in the Beer Cup.

[Punch]

SEP 2029

A pretty decent month in the League as we take 3 wins, a draw, and a loss.

 

Holding 5th place, although it's a very tight table.

 

Analyst is happy this month again. Defence is looking good and we are the best attacking team in the League.

Still looking for the consistency.

 

Jordan Williams earned back to back Young Player of the Month awards.

 

Players on International Duty, as Mattie Bowyer becomes our 17th Youth International.

 

The higher wages and Youth Setup still costing us a bomb, but the gate receipts are healthy.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeepers

No goals for our keepers this month.

Jordan Jack still putting up good numbers, while Foggarty played in the Pizza Cup this month, also putting in a good shift.

 

Another busy League month, and our second game of the Pizza Cup Group Stage.

 

Up next...we welcome 7th place Port Vale to The Bowl.

[Punch]

OCT2029 - Match Day 10

A good tough fight against a spirited Port Vale team and we managed to come out on top thanks to a brace of penalties from Jordan Jack.

 

Still holding down 4th place, on a tightly contested table.

 

Up next...Pizza Cup action returns to The Bowl as Burnley U23s come to the Isle.

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Papa Johns Trophy - Group Stage Match 2

We sent the kids out again and while they got off to a shaky start, they turned it around and came home with a wet sail.

Petrosino had another huge game making it five in two.

 

Another win keeps a bit of cash rolling in.

 

Wrexham, who we meet in the next game, beat Salford, so while our for goal difference should get us through, we are not yet qualified.

 

Up next...we return to League action with a big match up against 2nd place Carlisle.

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Match Day 11

A tough game with both sides having their chances to win, Carlisle took theirs after a lazy tackle in the box gave them a penalty.

 

Still holding 4th place, although Blackpool have a game in hand. Still a very tight table.

 

Up next...it doesn't get any easier as we welcome 1st Place Hull to the Isle.

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Match Day 12

We played well but both defences held solid.

Reece Foggarty got the start in goal again after Jordan Jack took a knock in training, and kept a clean sheet.

 

Still holding 4th in a really tight table.

 

Up next...we host 19th place Morecambe.

Edited January 4, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Match Day 13

A solid performance all round as we put in a great shift against Morecambe.

Jordan Jack came back in to score a goal and keep a clean sheet.

 

Still holding 4th position.

 

Up next...we are off to 15th place Scunthorpe.

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Match Day 14

We put in a good performance but had to come from behind twice to only manage a draw.

Jordan Williams netted twice in another grate performance.

 

Still holding down 4th position.

 

Up next...a tricky match up away to 14th place Wigan.

[Punch]

FA Cup - Round 1 Draw

FA Cup Round 1 draw brings Hashtag United to The Bowl.

[Punch]

OCT 2029 - Match Day 15

The boys run amok over Wigan slamming home 5 goals, and a dominant display.

 

Great result jumps us up to 3rd place.

 

Up next...A tough match up away to 8th place Luton.

[Punch]

OCT 2029

3 wins, 2 draws and a loss for the month of October, as we put in some good performances.

 

We hold 3rd place, maintaining our brilliant attacking record.

Hull are going to take some beating this season.

 

The analyst is happy with our performances. Defence still on the good side, and the best attacking record in the League.

 

More players on international duty this month.

 

Richard Paterson and Marco Petrosino become our 18th and 19th Youth Internationals.

 

While we still have plenty of money in the bank, we are going backwards this season.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeepers

Jordan Jack still putting up great numbers, and Foggarty deputised well when he was injured.

Jack also scored 4 goals this month.

 

2nd penalty of the season was buried past the keeper who guessed right, but couldn't do anything to stop that rocket.

 

3rd penalty of the year, and same result as the second.

 

4th of the season, and same story.

 

4th goal of the month and 5th of the season was this cracking free kick swung over the wall giving the keeper no chance.

 

4 from 4 at the spot, and 5 goals for the season.

Now has 77 goals for his career.

 

Another busy month, the FA Cup kicks off, and our final group match in the Pizza Cup.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - Match Day 16

A hard fought encounter where neither side was able to make anything of the few opportunities that were created.

 

We dropped back to 4th, leapfrogged by Doncaster after their victory.

 

Up next...20th placed Mansfield come to The Bowl, as we look to get back to winning ways.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - Match Day 17

After creating plenty of opportunities, but only going to the break, we ran away with it in the second half to record a thumping 5-1 win.

Jordan Williams netting another brace.

 

 

We jumped to 3rd, but Doncaster won the following day, pushing us back to 4th.

 

Up next...FA Cup Round 1 action as Hashtag United come to the Isle.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - FA Cup 1st Round

A thumping victory as Hashtag United are sent packing in the FA Cup 1st Round.

After getting us off the mark in the first minute, Richard Paterson score a hat-trick, on the way to a 5-1 win.

 

 

Round 2 sends us to Meadow Lane to take on Notts Co.

 

We've met twice previously in the National League for a win each.

 

Up next...we're off to Wrexham for the third game of the Group stage of the Pizza Cup.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - Papa Johns Trophy - Group Stage Game 3

Wrexham are rolled as Marco Petrosino score 4 goals, to make it 9 in three games.

 

We top the group stage scoring 12 (9 by one player) and conceding only 2.

Burnley U23s thrashed Salford to be the other team to qualify.

 

 

The 2nd Round see's us drawn against League One Rochdale.

 

Up next...our scheduled game against Cheltenham has been postponed due to us having 9 players on international duty, so our next match will be against Wrexham again in League Two action at The Bowl.

[rmcf2017]

Finally read up and i must say it was worth it, looking forward to seeing how you progress from here on out

[Punch]

3 minutes ago, rmcf2017 said:

Finally read up and i must say it was worth it, looking forward to seeing how you progress from here on out

Glad you enjoyed it, I have been having a lot of fun with it.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - Match Day 18

A dominant performance as we beat Wrexham for the second time in a row.

 

We currently sit in 5th place, but with games missed out for the international duty, teams are a few games ahead and behind around us.

 

Up next...Dag & Red come to the Isle.

[Punch]

NOV 2029 - Match Day 19

Another great performance to knock over Dag & Red, Jordan Williams continuing his white hot form picking up a brace.

 

 

8 unbeaten sees us jump to 3rd place, with a game in hand.

 

Up next...a tough match up against 4th place Ebbsfleet.

[corinthiano]

Been reading this over the past few days and caught up this morning, great journey so far and love the updates layout. Hopefully you managed to secure automatic promotion this year and avoid the playoff lottery again.

[Punch]

3 hours ago, corinthiano said:

Been reading this over the past few days and caught up this morning, great journey so far and love the updates layout. Hopefully you managed to secure automatic promotion this year and avoid the playoff lottery again.

Thank you! Glad your enjoying the journey. It's been a fun journey, that much like the presentation style, has evolved over the course of the save.

It's looking like another tough fight in League Two this year, the table is pretty close.

[Punch]

NOV 2029

An undefeated month, with just the one draw at the beginning of the month blemishing the record.

 

Still holding 3rd place, but it's a tight table.

 

The analyst is happy with this month, and we smashed the xG.

 

Williams won the Young Player of the Month for the 3rd time this season.

 

Another good month on the gate receipts isn't yet enough to cover our expenses.

 

At one point we had 9 players out on international duty this month.

 

Peder Kohlert become our 20th Youth International

 

The Press linked me to the Blackburn job.

 

Exeter offered me an interview for the third time.

 

Exeter were the 36th offer.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeeper

Jordan Jack still doing what he does, keeping very well.

Reece Foggarty has kept well in the Pizza Cup, and a couple of League games when Jack was injured.

 

Career penalty 60 was sent to his favourite corner as the keeper guessed wrong.

 

Keeper guessed right for 61, but could do nothing to stop it.

 

6 from 6 at the spot this season, for a total of 7 goals.

Now has 79 career goals.

Wonder if he can get to 100 before Reece Foggarty becomes too good to ignore.

 

Well then...December is going to be a huge month.

[Punch]

An update on a sold player

 

I must admit I had not looked into what Pat Clarke was up to for a while, then I seen his name pop up in the National League.

He came out of our Academy with much fanfare, being the best player we had produced, and the highest rated player at the club, and was looked at as a future club leader. He played well coming up the the Norther Premier League, and when we got promoted to the National Leagues.

As soon as he signed a professional contract he started making noises about wanting to play at a bigger club. I managed to placate him for a while but he eventually decided  that we were not playing at a high enough level, so he went to Oldham.

 

He only managed 5 games in League One before being sent back to the National League on loan.

The irony with him wanting to go to a higher level club, was that with Oldham's relegation, and our promotion, we are now in the same League.

He is still unable to get a game for them, so they have sent him back to the National League on loan again.

I guess there is the risk of wanting to play for a bigger club, in that you don't always end up playing for a bigger club.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 20

A tough loss, as we created plenty of chances, but couldn't hit the target.

 

4th place on a table that is still very close.

 

Up next...the tough run continues as 6th place Blackpool come to The Bowl.

[Hootieleece]

You always have to win these Six-Pointers!

Ebbsfleet is always a tough team.

[Punch]

11 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

You always have to win these Six-Pointers!

Ebbsfleet is always a tough team.

I think there is going to be a lot of those this season. It's looking to be a very competitive League this season.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 21

Another tough match up where it looked like we were going to get nothing out of it.

Jordan Jack made some great saves to keep us in the game, and then in injury time Marco Petrosino finally scored his first League goal, to salvage a draw.

 

The interesting part about this notice, is that Tim Powell also player in this game, so they both became the first IoM players to reach 250 League games, at the same time.

 

Still holding in 4th place.

 

Up next...our packed December schedule continues away to 16th place Colchester.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 22

We didn't play our best, but got the job done late, with McCarthy scoring a double.

 

We jump to 3rd, but it's still tight from 1st to 7th.

 

Up next...we're off to Cheltanham, to continue our packed December.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Youth Intake Preview

The preview of our 10th intake looks very interesting.

Fullbacks, Goalkeeper, center midfield, and striker...

Is the game teasing me? Or is it giving me a 10th anniversary present?

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 23

A missed opportunity as we can only manage a draw away to Cheltenham.

Young striker Petrosino scored again to save our hides.

 

Still holding 4th spot, but we need to start turning some of these draws into wins.

 

UP next...we're off to Oldham, but we won't face Pat Clarke as he is out on loan.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 24

The beautiful game this was not. A pretty poor performance where we created few chances, and made nothing of them.

The only thing that saved us was Oldham were worse with their even fewer chances.

 

We still sit 4th, but this little pre-Christmas slump has seen us with only 1 win in our last 5 matches.

 

Up next...it doesn't get easier as 6th place Stevenage come to The Bowl.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 25

A solid all-round performance gets the 3 points against a play off rival.

 

Even though we've not been at our best, we are still undefeated in 5.

 

We've jumped back over Ebbsfleet on goal difference after they have lost their last two games.

 

Up next...the December marathon continues, away to 14th place Chesterfield.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 26

A pretty good performance as McCarthy score a double to get us an away win.

 

Still holding 3rd spot, and loving the goal difference a few clean sheets have helped boost lately.

 

Up next...A big game at home to Bolton.

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 27

Bumper crowd in at The Bowl to watch us keep another clean sheet and put two past Bolton.

 

Our unbeaten run now stretches to 7 matches.

 

Still sitting 3rd, although our current run has given as a buffer from 4th, and closed the gap to 2nd.

 

Up next...the December marathon comes to a conclusion away to Northampton.

Edited January 5, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

DEC 2029 - Match Day 28

A disappointing result, we created enough chances to get something out of the game, but just couldn't take them.

 

Still holding 3rd, but lost ground on 2nd.

 

Up next...We have survived the December marathon pretty well, but there is no let up in sight, with January kicking off 4 games in 8 days, beginning with Lincoln coming to The Bowl on New Years Day.

[Punch]

DEC 2029

A monster month with a whopping 9 League games, 4 wins, 3 draws, book ended by losses at the beginning and the end of the month.

 

So we hold 3rd place at the turn of the year, and looking in decent form while some of those around us are struggling a bit.

We have the best attacking record in the League, and our defence is second only to Hull, who have been ridiculous so far.

 

The analyst concurs, the defence is looking good, and the attack has been brilliant.

 

There is still plenty of cash in the bank, but we are losing money every month now, with the Cost of the Youth set up, and now the extra costs of paying players full time contracts, plus upgrades are sending our monthly expenses sky rocketing.

 

Mid Season Stats

We've used a lot of players, especially over the last month, with a busy schedule, some players were struggling fatigue wise.

Plenty of solid contributions, and good to see some of the younger kids coming up through the ranks and putting pressure on for spots.

 

The marathon continues as we begin the new year with 4 games in 8 days, including the 2nd Round of both the Pizza Cup, and the FA Cup.

[Punch]

JAN 2030 - Match Day 29

Showing there was no hangover from the Christmas/New Year period, the boys went nuts putting 6 on the board, including 5 in the 2nd half.

 

Anchored in 3rd place at the moment.

 

Up next...the second round of the Pizza Cup see's us welcome Rochdale to The Bowl. The kids got us out of the group, so I will keep them playing, especially given the fixture congestion at the moment.

[Punch]

JAN 2030 - Papa Johns Trophy - 2nd Round

The Pizza Cup game has been pushed back a week, but doesn't really help the congestion issue.

 

Up next...League action continues as we head to Doncaster.

Edited January 5, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

JAN 2030 - Match Day 30

McCarthy and Williams run amok up front and we kept a clean sheet at the back. A good day at the office.

 

We stay in 3rd, but after looking unbeatable, Hull have lost two on the bounce, and they are now within striking distance.

But any slip ups leave us vulnerable to those chasing.

Going to be an interesting run home.

 

Up next...We are off to Meadow Lane for the FA Cup 2nd Round against Notts Co.